Jenson Button will stay with the BAR-Honda team for the 2005 season, dealing a major blow to Williams who had hoped the British driver would spearhead their world championship challenge.
Button had wanted to return to Williams, where he started his formula-one career in 2000, but that hope was dashed by a ruling from the formula-one Contract Recognition Board (CRB) in Milan.
”Naturally, I am disappointed by the ruling, but as a matter of principle, I firmly believe in standing by the decision the CRB has reached,” said Button in a statement.
”BAR have been extremely professional at the race track during this process, and I expect this to continue. I look forward to joining the BMW Williams formula-one team in the future.”
Legal presentations from both teams were heard in Milan on Wednesday before the verdict — which is final and binding — was delivered.
”I am delighted to confirm that we have just received the official notification that the CRB has ruled in our favour,” said BAR principal David Richards in São Paolo where the team is preparing for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Williams said they acknowledge the verdict of the CRB and confirmed they will not seek to challenge the judgement under any other legal jurisdiction.
”Naturally we are disappointed with the CRB’s conclusion,” said team chief Frank Williams.
”We took the view that Jenson was a driver worth challenging for, and based on strong legal advice, we have no regrets about making a bid for his services. The CRB accepted a significant number of the BMW Williams formula-one team’s arguments, but nevertheless found against us.
”We do not believe any further legal action in relation to this matter to be in the broader interests of the sport. In spite of the CRB’s conclusion, which relates to 2005, we will maintain our close relationship with Jenson for 2006.”
The 24-year-old Button is third in the drivers championship, behind world champion Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, going into the final race of the season.
BAR insisted they had a binding deal with Button. The driver’s management team claimed they had discovered a loophole in that contract.
In August, Williams said they had signed a deal with Button for 2005 and beyond but Wednesday’s decision leaves the team searching for a teammate for Mark Webber next season with Antonia Pizzonia, who has tested for the team this year, in pole to fill the vacant position.
Both Williams’s current drivers, Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher, are leaving after the end of this season — Montoya is going to McLaren and Schumacher to Toyota. — Sapa-AFP